To Catch a Killer
Encyclopedia
"To Catch A Killer" is a television film from 1992
, directed by Eric Till
and starring Brian Dennehy
and Michael Riley
. It is based on the true story of the pursuit of American serial killer John Wayne Gacy
.
as he tries in everyway to manipulate and outwit the police.
After eventually achieving two search warrants, Konzenczak finds a large amount of incriminating evidence, as well as 27 bodies buried throughout John Gacy's property; the remaining 6 are found dumped in a nearby river, including Gant's remains. Afterwards, he is charged with the rape and murder of 33 boys and young men and convicted- being sentenced to death.
, Canada
and the United Kingdom
. In general, the film was received well by critics. As a result, Brian Dennehy was nominated for an Emmy Award
for "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special". In addition, actor Michael Riley and director Eric Till were both nominated for two individual Gemini Awards.
1992 in film
The year 1992 in film involved many significant films. -Top grossing films:-Awards:Academy AwardsGolden Globe AwardsNational Film Awards...
, directed by Eric Till
Eric Till
Eric Till is a British film and television director working in Canada, the United States, and Europe since the 1960s.-Career:...
and starring Brian Dennehy
Brian Dennehy
Brian Mannion Dennehy is an American actor of film, stage and screen.-Early years:Dennehy was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the son of Hannah and Edward Dennehy, who was a wire service editor for the Associated Press; he has two brothers, Michael and Edward. Dennehy is of Irish ancestry and was...
and Michael Riley
Michael Riley
Michael Riley is a Canadian actor and graduate of the National Theatre School in Montreal, Canada in 1984. Riley's first appearance was in the film No Man's Land...
. It is based on the true story of the pursuit of American serial killer John Wayne Gacy
John Wayne Gacy
John Wayne Gacy, Jr. was an American serial killer, rapist and clown who sexually assaulted and murdered at least 33 teenage boys and young men between 1972 and 1978. Gacy buried 26 of his victims in the crawlspace of his home, buried three others elsewhere on his property, and discarded the...
.
Plot summary
As he investigates the missing person report of a teenager named Chris Gant (a character based on Gacy's genuine final victim, Robert Piest), Des Plaines, IL detective Lt. Joe Kozenczak (Riley) becomes concerned that local businessman John Wayne Gacy (Dennehy) may be responsible for this and well as many other disappearances. However, when he and his team are ready to arrest Gacy, their evidence is viewed as being circumstantial. Worst of all, everyone (including Konzenczak's superiors) view Gacy as a respectable pillar of society. Meanwhile, Gacy himself begins a sadistic game of cat-and-mouseCat and mouse
Cat and mouse, often expressed as cat-and-mouse game, is an English-language idiom dating back to 1675 that means "a contrived action involving constant pursuit, near captures, and repeated escapes." The "cat" is unable to secure a definitive victory over the "mouse", who despite not being able to...
as he tries in everyway to manipulate and outwit the police.
After eventually achieving two search warrants, Konzenczak finds a large amount of incriminating evidence, as well as 27 bodies buried throughout John Gacy's property; the remaining 6 are found dumped in a nearby river, including Gant's remains. Afterwards, he is charged with the rape and murder of 33 boys and young men and convicted- being sentenced to death.
Tagline
The spine-chilling true story of the cat-and-mouse pursuit of America's most diabolical serial killer.Impact/Reception
The film was broadcast in three countries, the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. In general, the film was received well by critics. As a result, Brian Dennehy was nominated for an Emmy Award
Emmy Award
An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
for "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special". In addition, actor Michael Riley and director Eric Till were both nominated for two individual Gemini Awards.
Cast
- Brian DennehyBrian DennehyBrian Mannion Dennehy is an American actor of film, stage and screen.-Early years:Dennehy was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the son of Hannah and Edward Dennehy, who was a wire service editor for the Associated Press; he has two brothers, Michael and Edward. Dennehy is of Irish ancestry and was...
as John Wayne Gacy - Michael RileyMichael RileyMichael Riley is a Canadian actor and graduate of the National Theatre School in Montreal, Canada in 1984. Riley's first appearance was in the film No Man's Land...
as Lieutenant Joseph 'Joe / Polock' Kozenczak - Margot KidderMargot KidderMargaret Ruth "Margot" Kidder is a Canadian-born American actress. She is perhaps best known for playing Lois Lane in the four Superman movies opposite Christopher Reeve, a role that brought her to widespread recognition....
as Rachel Grayson - Meg FosterMeg FosterMegan "Meg" Foster is an American actress best known for her roles in the TV miniseries version of The Scarlet Letter, Ticket to Heaven, The Osterman Weekend, and They Live .-Life and career:...
as City Attorney Linda Carlson - Martin Julien as Theodore 'Ted' Koslo
- Scott HylandsScott HylandsScott Hylands is a Canadian actor who has appeared in movies, television, and on the stage. He is probably best known for his role of Detective Kevin "O.B." O'Brien on the television series Night Heat, played from 1985 to 1989...
as Delta Squad Sergeant Mike Paxton - David Eisner as Detective Terry Williams
- John BoylanJohn Boylan (Canadian actor)John Boylan is a Canadian film and television actor, recently best known for his supporting roles as Gary Strange in Being Erica, Deputy Police Chief Talbot in Blue Murder and Bishop Richard Cushing in The Kennedys....
as Detective Gary Atkins - Tony De Santis as Delta Squad Detective Craig DeMarco
- Mark HumphreyMark HumphreyMark Adrian Humphrey is a Canadian actor best known for the role of Jake Antonelli in the Canadian television series E.N.G. In 1988 he made his feature film debut in the film Iron Eagle II as Captain Matt Cooper, Doug Masters' surviving best friend...
as Delta Squad Detective King - Gary Reineke as Delta Squad Detective Leonard 'Lenny' Petrie
- Tim ProgoshTim ProgoshTim Progosh is a Canadian actor and producer/creator of the Canadian Comedy Awards, an annual awards show held since 2000 in Toronto and London, Ontario ....
as Delta Squad Detective Jack Morris - Danny Pawlick as Patrolman Tony Santori
- Bruce RamsayBruce RamsayBruce Ramsay is a Canadian film, television and stage actor.-Early life:Ramsay was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada...
as Forensic Officer Edward 'Ed' Bragg - Brenda Bazinet as Alice Pearson
- Liliane Clune as Marcia Kozenczak
- Toby ProctorToby ProctorToby Proctor is a Canadian voice actor. He voiced Darien/Tuxedo Mask in the English dub of the Sailor Moon anime in 54 episodes of the first season. His other roles include Alex Flash Gordon in Flash Gordon and Copycat Ken in Ranma 1/2.-References:...
as Michael Kozenczak - Christopher Marren as Billy